As we know that every machine is different, and new appliances need less maintenance than old machines. Machine oils work to lubricate machine parts and decrease friction between them.
Besides this, it also can provide a layer of protection against erosion. This is a multipurpose oil, and it keeps moving parts from sticking. Also, it can decrease squeaks and other noises.
Designed specifically for use in machines, use it on moving parts like conveyors, hinges, castors, small motors, fasteners, and fans. However, stay with us to learn more about sewing machines or machine oil.
About Of Sewing Machine Oil:
Some things are still a mystery whether you have been sewing for many years or a few days. It would help if you often lubricate your sewing machines like other mechanical pieces to work properly.
Sewing machines are minimal pieces of tools. They need proper care to work properly. Additionally, this includes regular maintenance like replacing and cleaning worn parts.
This oil is a lubricant specially generated for sewing machine parts, recommended to use about every 8 hours of sewing.
Moreover, using oil lowers the abrasion between the machine and all parts. Even so, this oil also keeps the sewing machine’s parts from grinding and wearing down.
Hence, the additional lubrication keeps your machine running quietly and smoothly and helps to extend the machine’s life. Most importantly, this oil can be natural, synthetic, or created from petrochemicals, like mineral oils.
Types Of Sewing Machine Oil:
Machine oils are typically available in mineral, synthetic, and natural. Know about them perfectly and choose the right one for your machine.
Mineral Oil:
Mineral oil comes from petrochemicals or substances generated from petroleum. Generally, this oil is watery white, odorless, and most helpful. Even so, most machine oils come from petrochemicals.
Synthetic Oil:
Synthetic oil is an artificial substitute for mineral oils and is usually safe for rubber, plastic, and painted surfaces. Remarkably, this machine oil is more expensive than other types.
Natural Oil:
The alternative natural oils are sewing oils made from silicone, jojoba, and eater oils. Though crude, these oils often cannot work as efficiently as synthetic or mineral oils. Moreover, this oil may glue up on your machine if not blended properly.
How to Use Sewing Machine Oil:
Most manufacturers recommend you need to lubricate your machines after 8 hours of using your sewing machine. Putting oil in a routine maintenance schedule can enhance your machine’s life.
Here are some essential tips that you can follow when you are using your machine oil:
● Before using this oil, you should unplug your machine.
● You must take apart your engine to reach every piece and apply the oil.
● To save your machine’s parts from dust, you need to use a small brush to clean them.
● Use the air compressor before filling your engine with oil.
● To remove any excess oil, you can use a towel.
● Make sure extra oil doesn’t get on wires or fabric.
● Don’t use old oil on your machine.
● Check its color, appearance, and odor to know if this oil is fresh or not. If you can see its color, it is clear or white and odorless, meaning this oil still is new.
● Rancid oil becomes thick, yellowish, and smelly.
How Often Should You Lubricate Sewing Machines?
Learning to lubricate your machine correctly is essential to tolerating the moving portion within. A dedicated sewer must maintain this critical machinery with creativity, such as an artist cleaning the brushes.
The other factor in determining how often you should lubricate is how often you use it. Typically, if you sew 2 to 4 times a week, oil it weekly. In contrast, if you use it only 2 to 4 times a month, lubricate your machine at least once.
Besides, if you get a big project and produce abnormal fuzz, you must immediately clean and lubricate it afterward.
What Types Of Machine Oil Not To Use On Sewing Machines?
Here we make a short list of several types of oil that you couldn’t use on your machine.
● WD-40:
As we know, all oils are not suitable for sewing machines. WD-40 is one of them. It’s because, on mechanical gears, it can react with graphite and damage the mechanism.
● 3-in-1 Oil:
The 3-in-1 lubricant evaporates over time, giving up a gummy residue that blocks moving parts. Because of this residue will result in additional friction, which makes it overheat.
● Cooking Oil:
Never use any cooking oil to lubricate the sewing machine. Cooking oil contains heavy viscosity, that’s why it’s not suitable for your machine parts. Furthermore, they hold dust and lint, making more friction and jamming the internal components.
That is why using light machine oil is better. Light unrefined machine oil can lubricate and protect your metal parts against deposits, wear, rust, and corrosion.
● Rancid Oil:
Lastly, don’t use oil which can spoil your machine. When you can see the oil becomes yellow, enhanced in thickness, or has a bad smell, discard this oil.
Machine Oil Vs. WD-40:
Basically, machine oil comes to lubricate your sewing machine to work correctly. Usually, with a light viscosity, it is odorless and colorless. Oil can help your engine to run smoothly.
More importantly, it can remove friction and product-moving parts from rust damage. Therefore, you should only use the machine oil on your sewing machine.
On the other hand, WD-40 is only used as a solvent to clean your sewing machine.
In the case of your machine oiling and cleaning, WD-40 comes with a capability that can do all the work. But, you cannot use this WD-40 as a lubricant on your sewing machine. Unfortunately, it can damage your engine as it will unbend the oil.
Best Sewing Machine Oil:
The work of lubricating your machine with oil is a crucial part of sewing because it ensures the project’s smooth operation. Likewise, machine oil keeps your sewing machine running for a long time. Some of the best machine oil we have given below. Find out which oil is best for you.
Singer Sewing Machine Oil
The Singer sewing machine oil is a specially manufactured lubricant from pure mineral base oil. Yet, it can remove friction from vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, computers, and other appliances.
Furthermore, to keep your sewing machine running perfectly, it can protect your machine’s metal parts against rust and damage.
Also, you can use this oil even in the hard-to-reach areas of your machine. So, any beginner or professional can choose this oil for their sewing machine.
Universal Machine Oil
Eventually, this is another sewing machine oil that comes from Universal, an affordable and cheap lubricant. Accordingly, it can prevent damage and rust and protect your engine from dirt and dust particles. Formulated from 100% synthetic oils and it’s non-staining, non-toxic, and non-gumming.
Subsequently, it comes with a compatible expandable spout that can touch the hard-to-reach areas of the machine. Universal Machine oil can ultimately extend your sewing machine’s life if you use it occasionally or daily.
Liberty Oil, Clear Non-Staining Lubricant
Adequately, Liberty Oil provides the best sewing machine oil for your chewing machine formulated from 100% synthetic oil. Notably, it’s non-staining, and because of its high-viscosity index, it’s an ideal choice.
Due to the smooth plastic construction, you can easily squeeze the bottle. Surprisingly, it comes with a needle-tip dispenser of stainless steel to lubricate all the moving parts. Thus, this tip applicator helps to oil your machine perfectly.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
Q. Which machine oil is the best for sewing machines?
According to the performance of different oil, synthetic oil is a neat choice, although it’s expensive. In contrast, if you want to lubricate your machine perfectly for better results using mineral oil is best.
Q. Can I Use WD 40 Instead Of Machine Oil?
Generally speaking, WD-40 oil isn’t acceptable for sewing machines. Only WD-40 can act as a solvent and break down your old oil, which has hardened. Typically, it cannot work as a lubricant, and you should remove it before reapplying it with the correct oil.
Q. How Can I Know When To Oil My Sewing Machine?
Honestly, you wouldn’t need to wait for any sign. Taking care of your sewing machine regularly is the best idea.
Q. What can I use instead of machine oil?
You can use white mineral oil instead of machine oil because it’s light oil. Contrary to its name, this oil is a cheap and clear fluid available on the market.
Final Word:
Oiling your sewing machine properly is one of the most critical preventive ways to ensure stress-free sewing for years. Undoubtedly, oiling your sewing machine is very straightforward.
Simultaneously, you have to know when to oil, what to grease, and what oil to apply. You can check the density of oil, viscosity, or other properties of the machine oil to find out the best. Meanwhile, the best machine oils that you use won’t show their magic if you wouldn’t apply them properly. You should use only oil designed for sewing machines on your machine. Sewing machine oil is white mineral oil, meaning it is clear and has no smell.
Nevertheless, pick the best oil and apply it properly on your favorite sewing machine to get the best result. Happy sewing.
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